Been lifting for about a year. Im finally at the point where deadlifts and shrugs are almost too heavy for me to hold onto if i want to complete a set of 5 or whatever. My deadlift is right around 3 plates. Anything over 225 and my grip fails after a few reps. Same with shrugs. However I dont want this to effect my grip strength, but im assuming it will

I use straps for snatch grip deadlift, high pulls of any variety, heavy farmers walks once my grip has given out (so...after the first one), and once my grip gives out on heavy deadlifts (500lb+). I try to limit my use so that I challenge my grip (and thus build grip strength). I can do double overhand 315 deads, but not for multiples, I have to reset my grip on each lift. Anything over 225 gets chalk and a mixed grip. I've pulled 550 without straps, but my grip gave out on my 605 attempt.

Also, I'm a wimp and wont even try a hook grip. I immensely respect anyone that pulls with a hook grip. Those people know what it means to push (or pull, as the case may be) through the pain.

Chalk makes a HUGE difference. When I first started using it I thought of it (rather blasphemously) as Jesus Dust. I still call it that in my head. Yes... I'm going to hell.

Been lifting for about a year. Im finally at the point where deadlifts and shrugs are almost too heavy for me to hold onto if i want to complete a set of 5 or whatever. My deadlift is right around 3 plates. Anything over 225 and my grip fails after a few reps. Same with shrugs. However I dont want this to effect my grip strength, but im assuming it will

Also not a big fan of mixed grip.

Deadlift Objective

The objective of the deadlift is to strengthen and increase the muscle mass primarily in your posterior chain.

To do that you need to...

Overload The Posterior Chain

This means you need to (at some point in your training cycle) push yourself to failure or close to it.

Grip Limitations

If your grip is the limiting factor in your deadlift, you are NOT going to be able to overload the "Deadlift" muscle groups.

Turning The Deadlift Into a Grip Exercise

What happens is you end up turning a posterior chain exercise into a grip exercise.

That amounts to...

Killing A Fly With a Sledgehammer

In other word, you are using the Wrong tool for the job.

Straps

Straps allow you to overload the muscles in the Deadlift.

Holding Strength

There are three types of grip strength.

Each type need to be trained differently.

Holding on to a bar during an exercise falls into the Holding Strength Training catagory (Strength Endurance).

Exercises

1) Hanging from a Chinning bar for as long as you can.

2) Holding on to a heavy barbell, as long as you can.

3) Training with a Thick bars.

If you don't have a thick bar, wearing gloves as Stephen mentioned in his post actually increases the grip thickness.

While the glove provides some "grip traction" like chalk, it also makes it harder to grip and hold on to the bar.

Thanks for the replies. Actually didnt mention but one reason i started using straps is due to forearm tednonitis. Wanted to see if this would help with the flare ups. I think it has but can not be sure since i am limiting curls now due to tendonitis. Never tried chalk, that may be an option in the future. I still feel im my grip is challeneged even with straps. I try not to use straps unless im lifting really heavy weight so i feel like im still getting forearm work with rows, pulldowns, pullups etc.

Thanks for the replies. Actually didnt mention but one reason i started using straps is due to forearm tednonitis. Wanted to see if this would help with the flare ups. I think it has but can not be sure since i am limiting curls now due to tendonitis. Never tried chalk, that may be an option in the future. I still feel im my grip is challeneged even with straps. I try not to use straps unless im lifting really heavy weight so i feel like im still getting forearm work with rows, pulldowns, pullups etc.

Tendonitis

I once had "Golfer's Elbow", it is "Tennis Elbow" (tendinitis) on the other side of the arm.

My Treatment

I went to lift at a powerlifting meet. Dr. David Foster, a lifter and referee, showed up to provide treatment for lifters.

I got to see Foster, who preformed the Gaston Technique on me.

He told me it would hurt. I told him I was a tough guy.

Within a couple of minutes, I was crying. Yea, I am NOT that tough.

Immediately after the treatment my arm felt better.

Dr. Foster showed my girl friend how to do it. She preformed it on my everyday for about a month.

_________________Stu Ward_________________Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.~HippocratesStrength is the adaptation that leads to all other adaptations that you really care about - Charles Staley_________________Thanks TimD

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